Morris tribune., 1887-06-22
RARE AND BEAUTIFUL.
CHAT WITH A RECENTLY RETURNED
ORCHID COLLECTOR.

OhC7lO COIIEC Ok.
Gathering the Weird and Eccentric
Developments OF the Floral Kingdom.
Life Among savages-Beginning OF n
Craze for Orchids.
1t was my good fortune to meet in Mr..
Bergman's greenhouses a world renowned
discoverer and dealer in these weird and
eccentric developments of the floral king
dom, Mr.. Fredrico Man, who has just re-
turned from his annual trip to South
America in quest of orchids, bringing
with him q ship load of the coveted buds
tropical ferns and the Towering onion for
the New York and Brooklyn markets, as
well as for those of London, Paris and
Berlin. Fifty thousand orchids of this i'm
portation are in Mr.. Bergman's care.
Some half dozen men were busily opening
the crates in which the plants were boxed,
while others had already found place in
the greenhouses among those already cul-
tivated by the florist. Some tropical birds
brought by the merchant in orchids
seemed to have found a fitting home in
such surroundings. AS Mr.. Man talked
of his methods of trade / cannot do better
in this direction than to repeat some por-
tons Of it In answer to the queries pro-
pounded by his curious visitors on this oc-
casion, and as nearly as possible in his
own language.
"You see," said he, 81 have been visit
ing South America for some ten or twelve
years on purpose to obtain orchids from
the forests of Brazil, the United States Of
Colombia and elsewhere. Ihave my own
servants, guides, etc, who are ready to
meet me on arrival. We travel 1000
miles into the interior, perhaps, before be-
ginning operations. OF course take an
interpreter with me, as in all my journeys
have not learned the low mixture of
languages spoken by the natives"
FOES TO BE FEARED.
care you not timid amid such rude
people!''
''Oh, no; my guides and myself are well
armed. The foes we have most to fear
are the reptiles and wild animals"
"And how do you defend yourself
against them?"
1--WE travel by boat and on muleback
when we can, and sometimes through
almost impenetrable forests, but at night
we have ono rule for shelter and protec-
ton. Three fires are made and our hut
them. There are many tigers in the Bra
lillian forests, and as for snakes-well, /
could spend hours telling you of them. /
brought home the skin of one thirty feet
long. Here on my thumb is the scar of
reptile
"Don't tell us more of the snakes"
said Mr.. Mans audience.
''No, no, 1t is of the orchids you want
to know. Wen, orchids are parasites.
They grow on rocks and trees and are fed
by the moisture in the atmosphere, al
though there are orchids that grow in the
earth. They are found in all countries,
and the rareSt and most beautiful are the
parasites. The natives of South America
are very fond of them, cultivate them
around their dwellings and call them
1eur de santus, the flower of health.
Sometimes a gorgeous flower is seen on
the top Of a forest tree, which is only OBJ
tainable by cutting down the tree; some
times they are found near the SUBMITS Of
mountains 10000 or $4,000 feet high, as
some species grow where it is cold and
near the SHOWS, and others where the heat
is constant and almost overpowering.
"How do you transport these gather
ings of orchids?''
''At times the natives carry them, but
usually on muleback to some sea port,
and no freight is more costly, as the
wooden crates in which they are packed
must be so arranged as to give the plants
air."
BEGINNING OF CRAZE.
care many orchids sold in this coun-
try!" asked the writer.
ooh, yes, there is the beginning of a
craze for them in the United States, but
as yet not at all in comparison to that
which exists in England, France and Ger
many. 1t is becoming the fashionable
flower here as well as there for decora-
tons, for dinner parties, for brides bou-
quets, etc."
care these flowers very expensive?"
Decidedly. A small bouquet of them
may represent $25. In England the
wealthy people will give almost any price
for new orchid"
''How long have they been known
there?''
''About 100 years, perhaps little more;
a missionary to India sent some specimens
home and sea captains brought them from
South America, the South Sea Islands,
Mexico, Porto Rico and elsewhere. The
English people liked them and gradually
they have grown into great favor till the
mania for them resembles the craze that
once existed in Europe for the black tulip.
Agents are sent everywhere that orchids
are indigenous for new varieties. have
myself discovered seventeen new varie-
ties. Baron SHREDDER, who resides near
London, has the finest collection in the
world; the Duke of Marlborough has
many rare varieties and so has Baron
Rothschild. It was in Boston that Or
chids first found favor in this country.
Mr.. Jay Gould has splendid collection
in his greenhouses near Tarrytown on the
Hudson; Mr.. Corning, of Albany, has the
most extensive collection this side of the
ocean, and Mr.. Cornelius Vanderbilt is
beginning to purchase them for his place
In Newport. "-Brooklyn Eagle.